Differences

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--- house_documents:constitutions:harambee [2024/07/25 13:38] – eo_harambee
+++ house_documents:constitutions:harambee [2026/01/11 12:59] (current) – [Article VII: Standing House Rules] eo_harambee
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
   - **1.** ‘Constitution’ shall refer to this document in its entirety.
   - **2.** ‘Harambee House Cooperative,’ ‘Harambee House,’ ‘Harambee’ and ‘house’ shall be defined as the building located on the property: 427 Hillsdale Street, Lansing, Michigan 48933
-  - **3.** ‘Student Housing Cooperative,’ and ‘SHC’ shall refer to the body that owns the Harambee House Cooperative.
+  - **3.** ‘Spartan Housing Cooperative,’ and ‘SHC’ shall refer to the body that owns the Harambee House Cooperative.
   - **4.** A ‘member’ is any person who has ever held a valid contract with Harambee House Cooperative.
   - **5.** An ‘active member’ or ‘house member’ is any member currently living in Harambee House privy to the following conditions
     - **a.** Has a valid contract with SHC.
-    - **b.** I currently in good financial standing with SHC.
+    - **b.** Is currently in good financial standing with SHC.
   - **6.** A ‘guest’ is anyone staying at Harambee House for any length of time without having signed a contract.
   - **7.** ‘Active membership’ or ‘membership’ is the total number of individuals who are active members, or the entire group of active members.
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 ====Article II: Scope====
   - **1.** This constitution shall be subject to all laws and regulations set forth by the United States of America, the State of Michigan, and the City of Lansing.
-  - **2.** This constitution shall be subject to all rules and regulations set forth by the Michigan State Housing Cooperative (SHC) and all its respective governing bodies.
+  - **2.** This constitution shall be subject to all rules and regulations set forth by the Spartan Housing Cooperative (SHC) and all its respective governing bodies.
   - **3.** ‘This constitution shall supersede and nulls all previous constitutions initiated by Harambee House Cooperative.
   - **4.** This constitution shall supersede any rules or regulations that were implemented under the governance of this constitution.
   - **5.** All rules and regulations made under the governance of this constitution shall be placed in the addendum section of this constitution upon the approval of the active members during a Regular House Meeting.
-====Article IV: Governance====
+====Article III: Governance====
   - **1.** All rules and regulations imposed upon the members and guests of Harambee House shall be adopted at house meetings or be stated within this constitution.
-====Article V: House Meetings====
+====Article IV: House Meetings====
-  - **1.** A Regular House Meeting shall be a house meeting composed of the active membership subject to the following:
+  - **1.** A Regular House Meeting shall be composed of the active membership subject to the following:
-    - **a.** Quorum shall consist of ⅔ of the active house membership. In the event that quorum was not achieved at the preceding Regular House Meeting, quorum shall be ½ of the active membership for the latter meeting only.
+    - **a.** Quorum shall consist of ⅔ of the active house membership, rounded up to the nearest whole number. In the event that quorum was not achieved at the preceding Regular House Meeting, quorum shall be ½ of the active membership, rounded up to the nearest whole number for the latter meeting only.
-    - **b.** House meetings will take place every other Sunday
+    - **b.** House meetings will take place at least once per month.
     - **c.** A facilitator and note taker will be decided at the beginning of each meeting.
     - **d.** The standing agenda for house meetings is as follows:
       - **i.** Committee Meeting Review
-      - **ii.** Officer Reports
+      - **ii.** Officer Reports¹
       - **iii.** Member time
     - **e.** All house members will have the ability to vote on any business that concerns Harambee House.
     - **f.** Decisions at a house meeting will pass by a majority vote, unless otherwise described in this constitution.
-  - **2.** All house meetings are mandatory. If a member has to miss a meeting, they must get permission from the rest of the active members.
+  - **2.** All house meetings are mandatory. If a member has to miss a meeting, they must give notice to rest of the active members at least 30min before the meeting.
-====Article VI: Rules====
+¹Can also be found in the reporting channel in the house
-  - **1.** All members and guests are expected to read and heed all rules implemented in the manner dictated in Section 3 of Article VI.
+====Article V: Rules====
+  - **1.** All members and guests are expected to read and heed all rules implemented in the manner dictated in Section 3 of Article V.
   - **2.** Fines may be administered due to broken rules as agreed upon at a Regular House Meeting
   - **3.** Rules shall be implemented in the following manner:
     - **a.** Suggested rule is brought up during a Regular House Meeting
-    - **b.** Is passed in the manner prescribed by Article V, Section 1, Subsection F.
+    - **b.** Is passed in the manner prescribed by Article IV, Section 1, Subsection F.
     - **c.** Is written, posted, and added to the addendum section of this constitution.
   - **4.** Any Rule not added to the official constitution addendum shall not be enforced.
-====Article VII: Standing House Rules====
+====Article VI: Standing House Rules====
   - **1.** Smoking
     - **a.** There is no smoking of any kind within Harambee House
     - **b.** Smoking is allowed outside of Harambee House.
   - **2.** Room Picks
-    - **a.** Room picks will be based on contract signing date.
+    - **a.** Room picks will be based on contract signing date and availability.
   - **3.** Guests
     - **a.** Members may have guests at Harambee House a maximum of 3 days per week, 2 of which may be an overnight stay (unless otherwise agreed upon by the house)
     - **b.** Members must inform housemates of when they have a guest via the Discord Chat.
-    - **c.** House must vote on accepting guests staying longer than a week.
+    - **c.** House must vote on accepting guests staying longer than 3 days.
     - **d.** Guests staying long term may stay no longer than 30 days.
     - **e.** Guests staying long-term will be charged $25 each week.
@@ Line 177: / Line 178: @@
 ====Article XIV: Fire Safety====
   - **1.** Equipment Maintenance:
-    - **a.** All fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers are functional and fully charged. Conduct a smoke detector inspection once a term or as prescribed by law.
+    - **a.** All fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers will functional and fully charged. The house will conduct a smoke detector inspection once a term or as prescribed by law.
     - **b.** Each occupant is obligated to notify the facilities officer of malfunctioning fire safety equipment located in their bedroom.
     - **c.** Always have a fire extinguisher present in designated areas.
   - **2.** Fire Drills and Emergency Procedures:
     - **a.** The house will stage a fire drill at least once a term or as required by law.
-    - **b.** In the event of a fire alarm, the designated "sober representative" shall communicate with the fire department. This individual is also responsible for speaking with the police if they arrive.
+    - **b.** In the event of a fire alarm, the designated "sober representative" shall communicate with the fire department. This individual is also responsible for speaking to the police if they arrive.
-    -
+  - **3.** Inspections and Compliance:
+    - **a.** The house will prepare for fire and city inspections by attending inspection dates with city officials. Ensure the house meets all compliance requirements.
+    - **b.** All house members will be informed of emergency procedures and an emergency fire escape plan will be posted in a common area at all times for reference.
 ====Article XV: Amendments====
@@ Line 193: / Line 196: @@
     - **a.** Acticle XII: Amendments can be amended with 80% vote of the active membership.
     - **b.** All other articles require ⅔ of those present at the Regular House meetings.
+====Article XVI: House Norms====
+  - **1.** Communication:
+    - **a.** Discussion between housemates whether it is face to face, discord, text, or direct messaging, should remain respectful. Passive aggressive and belittling comments are not allowed.
+    - **b.** Politics of any sort are not to be discussed on discord or any internet platform we use.
+    - **c.** Members should prioritize house voting and scheduling availability for house meetings. Responses should be made no longer than a week after posting in the discord server.
+    - **d.** If any members have an issue with another housemate there should be an attempt to resolve the conflict privately first. If it can't be resolved privately, then we can discuss it in a house meeting or on discord.
+  - **2.** Consent:
+    - **a.** Respect the physical, sexual,  and emotional boundaries of all housemates. Ask permission before discussing sensitive subjects such as politics or religion, even if it is a private one-on-one conversation.
+    - **b.** Every housemate has the ability to revoke their consent at any time, even if it was initially given.
+  - **3.** Culture:
+    - **a.** Members will not engage in sexist, homophobic, transphobic, racist, ableist, or xenophobic behavior.
+       - **i.** This includes micro aggressive comments and "jokes" relating to someone's gender, culture, vernacular, or physical characteristics.
 ====Addendum====